Waking up with a headache, sore throat, and stuffy nose might tempt you to reach for antibiotics, hoping for a quick recovery. However, inappropriate and excessive use of antibiotics can do more harm than good. Here's why.
In this article, you'll learn:
- What causes infections: viruses or bacteria?
- What is the right treatment?
- What are antibiotics, and how do they work?
- Practical tips on antibiotic use.
Viruses vs. Bacteria: The Root Cause of Infections
During seasonal transitions, respiratory infections (stuffy nose, sneezing, headache, sore throat) are common. The changing weather conditions create a perfect environment for microorganisms to thrive. These microorganisms can be either viruses or bacteria, and both cause infections with overlapping symptoms, making it hard to distinguish between the two.
The truth is, most upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses—specifically, the influenza virus (which causes the flu) or rhinoviruses and coronaviruses (which cause the common cold). In fact, viruses account for about 90% of all respiratory infections.
While viruses and bacteria may present similar symptoms, they require different treatments.
What’s the Right Treatment?
- Viral Infections: The best approach is home care, giving your body time to fight off the virus. Rest and over-the-counter medications can help manage symptoms like nasal sprays, throat lozenges, or pain relievers. However, there is no direct treatment for the virus itself—your immune system must handle that.
- Bacterial Infections: If your symptoms persist or worsen after a few days, it may be a bacterial infection. Bacterial infections, which can sometimes develop after a viral infection, require antibiotics. A visit to the doctor is necessary, as antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections and can cause unnecessary side effects if used improperly.
What Are Antibiotics, and How Do They Work?
Antibiotics are powerful drugs used to treat bacterial infections. They can save lives when used correctly by either killing the bacteria outright (e.g., damaging the bacterial cell wall) or by stopping bacterial growth and reproduction (e.g., interfering with metabolism or cell division).
Bacteria are independent microorganisms that can move, reproduce, and feed on their own. Antibiotics target these bacterial functions, rendering them ineffective.
On the other hand, viruses are parasites that cannot replicate on their own. They hijack human cells, using them to perform essential functions, which is why antibiotics have no effect on viruses. Since viruses lack the cellular structures that antibiotics target, using antibiotics to treat viral infections is pointless and potentially harmful.
Side Effects of Antibiotics
Overusing or improperly using antibiotics can lead to several side effects.
While antibiotics kill harmful bacteria, they also eliminate beneficial bacteria in the body. For instance, the gut microbiome, which aids digestion, can be disrupted by antibiotics, leading to side effects like diarrhea and digestive problems.
Furthermore, indiscriminate antibiotic use weakens your body's ability to absorb nutrients—nutrients that are especially important when fighting infections.
In addition to gastrointestinal issues, antibiotics can cause other side effects depending on their structure and mechanism of action. However, the most concerning consequence of overusing antibiotics is antibiotic resistance.
What Is Antibiotic Resistance?
Antibiotic resistance refers to bacteria’s ability to withstand the effects of antibiotics. This doesn’t mean your body becomes resistant, but rather that the bacteria evolve and adapt to survive despite antibiotic treatment. These resistant bacteria can spread to other people, causing infections that are harder to treat.
The more frequently bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, the faster they become resistant, making once-treatable infections (like strep throat or bronchitis) much harder to cure.
Antibiotic resistance is progressing faster than the development of new antibiotics. Alarming data from the European Union show that approximately 25,000 people die each year from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The trend indicates that even simple bacterial infections may soon become untreatable if this issue continues unchecked.
How Do You Know When You Really Need Antibiotics?
For colds or flu, rushing to the doctor for antibiotics isn’t recommended. Instead, rest and recover at home, reducing the risk of catching additional infections in a doctor’s waiting room or spreading the virus to others.
One practical tool is the CRP test (C-reactive protein test), which measures inflammation in the body. A high CRP level suggests a bacterial infection, while a mild increase typically indicates a viral infection. A positive CRP test can help determine whether antibiotics are necessary. If the test suggests a bacterial infection, see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Practical Tips for Antibiotic Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and only take antibiotics if they are prescribed to you.
- Always finish the full course of antibiotics, even if you feel better. Stopping early can allow bacteria to survive and become resistant.
- Don’t take leftover antibiotics or someone else’s prescription. Doing so can contribute to antibiotic resistance.
- Dispose of unused antibiotics properly by returning them to your local pharmacy, rather than keeping them at home or throwing them away.
- Take probiotics alongside antibiotics to help reduce the negative impact on your gut’s healthy bacteria.
In conclusion, antibiotics are a powerful tool in fighting bacterial infections, but they are useless against viruses like the cold or flu. Misusing them not only causes side effects but also contributes to the growing global issue of antibiotic resistance. The best way to use antibiotics is responsibly—only when prescribed by a healthcare professional.
